Multiscale modelling of plastic deformation

In order to describe the plastic behavior of crystalline materials containi ng structural heterogeneities and/or under complex loadings, a new non loca l method that incorporates both dislocation properties and a rigorous treat ment of boundary value problems is proposed. This new computer model makes use of a coupling between two different types of three-dimensional simulati ons: a Finite Elements code and a simulation of dislocation dynamics at the mesoscopic scale. The simulation technique is briefly presented and is ill ustrated by preliminary tests on the plastic deformation of copper single c rystals at small strains.